iTHi: 
07 
with which the places are crowded, and in no respect is the Eiu-opcan more disappointed ; 
from cultivating in his gardens none save the choicest and most brilliant flowers which the 
regions of the sun are capable of producing ; from seeing on the stage tropical scenery, 
which looks more like a representation of fairy-land than of sublunar places ; and from 
reading those highly -coloured accounts with which many travellers have endeavoured to 
embelUsh their narratives, his imagination has drawn a picture of equinoctial countries which 
a comparison with nature at once demolishes. The Espave {Anacardiiim Rhinocarpus, DC.) 
and the Corotu {Enter olohiimi Timhoika^ ^Mart.) are amongst the most gigantic trees, 
attaining a height of from 90 to 130 feet, and a circumference of from 24 to 30 feet; and no 
better estimate can be formed of their size, than by an inspection of the port of Panama, 
where vessels of twelve tons burden, made of a single trunk, are riding at anchor. Tlie 
forests occasionally consist of only a single species of tree ; but generally they are composed 
of different kinds, the principal forms belonging to SterculiacecB, TiliacecB, Mimosea, PapiHo- 
nacece, Eujjhorhiacemy Anacardlacea^ Rubiacece, Myriacea, and MdaHtomect ; these, and the 
prevalence of Palms, Tree-ferns, ScifaminecBt and AroidecBy stamp on them the real tropical 
character. 
Mountains, exceeding 2000 feet in elevation, situated principally in Western Veraguas, 
possess a vegetation which resembles in many respects that of the Mexican highlnuds; 
one in which the forms of the torrid region are harmoniously blended with those of the 
temperate. Alders and Blackberries are foimd with Fuchsias and Salvias ; the Brake grows 
in company -with Lupines and Ageratumsj Oaks and Palms are intermingled; tine large 
flowers are abundant. The genera represented are Slyrax^ Rondektia, Salvia, Lopezia, 
Fuchsia^ Centradenia, Ageratum^ Conosteglay Lupinm, Hypericum, Frcziera, Galitim, Smilax, 
Euphorbia, Rhopala, Equisetmn, Clematis, Chorisia, Verbena, Condaminea, In^a, Solanum, 
etc. The Oaks, like most tropical ones, are scarcely higher than thirty feet, resembling 
neither in size nor in grandeur those which our heathen forefathers worshipped; their 
branches are smooth and devoid of that rugged appearance which renders those of the 
northern species so picturesque. 
The Isthmus is rich in medicinal plants, many of which are known only to the natives, 
who have ably availed themselves of their properties. As febrifuges, they employ Chicoria 
{Elephantojms splcatus, Juss.), CorpacJd {Croton), Guavlto amaryo {Quassia amara, Linn.), 
Cedron {Simaha Cedron, Planch.), and several Gentianea, herbaceous plants, which are 
known by the name of Canclialayms. As purgatives are used, Nino muerto, or Malcasada 
(Asclepias Ciirassavica, Linn.), FrijoUllo {Cassia occideutalis, Linn.), Cahafislola de purgar 
{Cassia Fistula, Linn.), Laureno {Cassia alata, Linn.), Javilla {Hura crepitans, Linn.), and 
Coquillo {Jatropha Curcas, Linn.). Emetics are obtained from Garriba de pena {Begonia 
sp.) and Frailecillo {JafropJia gossgpifolia, Linn.). As vulneraries they use Chiriqui {Trixis 
fndescens, P. Br.), and Guazimilh, or Falo del soldado {Waltheria glomerata, Presl), and 
Cope chico de suelo {Clusia sp.). Anti-syphiUtics are, Car do santo {Argemone Mexicana, 
I 2 
